Live Review: The Darkness

The prior occasion this scribe saw The Darkness was during the glam rockers' maiden Australian jaunt as part of the 2004 Big Day Out. That must seem akin to another lifetime for the English outfit; a respectable, but decidedly less acclaimed second album (the band only paid scant reference to it during their set), bust-ups, line-up shifts and a fortune snorted away ages ago.

What hasn't altered within that decade-plus period is a propensity for a flamboyant, unashamedly over-the-top rock show tailor made for headlining arenas, but for now resigned to preaching to the converted in theatres in this part of the world.

Kicking off with the one-two of Black Shuck's AC/DC-esque riffage and Growing On Me, playing almost every track from mega-selling debut Permission To Land was audibly a falsetto-laden crowd-pleaser. Led by prancing, fine-voiced frontman Justin Hawkins' tireless presence and more poses than a Mr. Universe competition, they were well-honed, albeit without emanating a vibe of going through the motions. The gleeful audience interaction was typified by inviting a delighted 11-year-old female fan from their pre-show meet and greet to tap dance on stage during One Way Ticket. Hopefully it's several years before someone explains the song's coke-inspired subject matter to her. New(ish) drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor also readily applied himself to the task.

Airing material from their upcoming LP was received about as politely as possible (Solid Gold seemed an audience favourite in the making) given the circumstances. Devotees instead conserved energy for the hits, and roaring approval for party tricks like the frontman doing a handstand while clapping with his feet, or venturing into the audience during extended closer Love On The Rocks With No Ice.

In 2017, The Darkness' particular brand of throwback fare and aesthetic may ensure they're not the trendiest rock outfit treading the boards, but they certainly rank among the more entertaining.